Tuesday, 26 May 2009

New York! New York!

Up here in the Yorkshire Dales we lead a very quiet and orderly life - eating our meals at the same time each day, fitting in with the farming year and the seasons, having friends round for dinner in the evening, walking the lanes. So it is hardly surprising that when it comes to holidays we are quite happy to go on energetic ones. Also we are both agreed that we like to see as many places as possible.So this year we planned a marathon lightning tour - 2 days in Montreal, call at Ottawa en route for two days in Toronto, on to Niagara and over the border into New York State, staying overnight in Albany. Then through to the coast - two days in Boston, two days in New York, two days in Philadelphia and Baltimore and the finishing up with the last two days in WashingtonDC. This meant living out of suitcases, getting up early (never difficult for farmers),and constantly moving on. It was very tiring.The low point came as we left Boston for New York. I think everyone was feeling pretty jaded (there were 22 in our party). Certainly the farmer and I were a bit apprehensive about NY - noisy, busy and all that - was it going to be our "cup of tea."As we approached the big apple the driver of our coach, a Canadian called Mikey - splendid chap - said we all had to look forward "at about two o'clock" as we got to the bridge. "Don't take your eyes off that two o'clock spot" he called. We all looked and then, suddenly the New York skyline came into brilliant view. At that precise moment he put on the music, Frank Sinatra singing New York New York. There wasn't a dry eye on the coach!! Tired, jaded? Not us - we were raring to go. What to do in two days. Well here is what we did.

1. The highlight - we met Elizabeth of New York blog fame, crossed to Fifth Avenue by taxi, had coffee in a super little coffee house and went round an exhibition of German expressionism (there was a marvellous Klimt which I have seen pictures of - so exciting to see the real thing).Then returned to our hotel by bus.2. Had a cruise round Manhattan island, taking in various bridges, the skyline and the Statue of Liberty

3 Had a walk in Central Park.4. Went along Fifth Avenue and saw Tiffany's and Macy's.5, Went in Trump Tower - all glitzy marble (the farmer went to the loo and was very impressed with the fittings and fixtures! Wish I had gone!)6. Went down to the waterfront at night and had a super dinner in a restaurant overlooking Brooklyn Bridge - went out on to the balcony of the restaurant and took a photograph of the bridge lights.7. Went to Ground Zero - now in the process of being rebuilt - so all boarded up. But we saw the church which became such a focal point for all those rescue workers. We marvelled at the sheer size and nearness of the surrounding buildings. Later we saw the memorial - and theart work which was rescued though damaged and now waits to be put back when the building is finished, as a memorial.8. Went across to New Jersey on the ferry and then returned after dark to see the lights of NY from over the water.On one afternoon there was a torrential downpour and we spent the afternoon in our hotel room, our armchairs drawn up to the window, watching street life below. That was restful and also fascinating - there were some super pampered dogs went past on leads.Now we have been home a fortnight - we are no longer jetlagged and are feeling fit as fleas. all the way home we said we thought we were getting past all this travelling and that maybe this would be the last long distance holiday we did. Now, after a fortnight to recuperate we are wondering whether it might be exciting to go to the Yukon next year

31 comments:

Fascinating post Weaver and great photos. The Yukon would be marvellous. Your coach driver was quite a showman to get you to see the skyline at just the right moment. Glad your batteries are recharged and thankyou for your comment on my blog. I am happy working in my room or in the garden but the greatest pleasure comes on a fine day when I can take my stitching out and sit in the garden with it. Is that cheating?

Thank you for thia account of your trip to Canada and the USA. How nice you saw Elisabeth! That must be nice to meet bloggers all over the world! Warn me if you come to the Netherlands! Have a great week!

WHAT a tour! I love the photographs: the glitz, the glamour and the art of it all (not forgetting the heart of the city - and the Ground Zero redevelopment you mention: this must have been hard to take in).

I would particularly have enjoyed the Expressionist exhibits. Franz Marc of Der Blaue Reiter is one of my all time favourite artists. Thank you so much for sharing your holiday with us.

Glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting on this side of the pond. Like you, we're rural dwellers, so when we venture into major cities like NY, Chicago and such, it's quite a change of pace for us. I enjoy visiting... but the traffic! Yikes!! Nice to come home to where two cars and one tractor on the road constitute "a lot of traffic" LOL!